Published on Wednesday, 13 April 2011 09:50 | Written by Administrator

One of our Progress editorial board really wanted to try the peanut brittle at Sweetie Pies Bakery on East Church Street but didn’t get to. She missed out, and really, it’s her own fault.

She admired the pink and white striped sign for months and kept saying she’d go next week or the week after, but never did. When she finally decided to check them out, the store wasn’t operating anymore.

You know that when you don’t support a business, there is a chance it will have to shut its doors. With a weekend coming up chock full of events, there is a need to remember the same logic applies with once-in-a-while happenings also.

Jasper ArtFest, Dog Days in the Park, Tate Depot Days the Jasper Farmer’s Market, the Optimist Club 5K Flapjack Fun Run and the Sharptop Arts Association birdhouse auction are all going on at some point between Friday, April 15 and Sunday, April 17. By attending one or more of these events, you can increase the chances they will return.

We continually hear people (including us) complain that Jasper needs more things to do, especially after regular 9-to-5 business hours. We need to remember that planning an art festival, opening a business or preparing for a concert or play takes months, sometimes years of work. All this work is more than worth it to organizers if patrons come out and enjoy themselves. But when thinking of repeating an event, organizers ask, “Are there enough seats being filled, enough tickets being sold to continue next year?”

All events this weekend look fun, too fun to allow a regular weekend routine to get in the way of joining the experience. Don’t just think about attending one of these events. Get out there amongst them. Such happenings make the fabric of a town deeper and richer and create more of a draw here for visitors. If we continue to support such events (never forgetting our local businesses) we will attract even more (with the commerce they bring), adding other unique and creative recreational opportunities here on a regular basis.

Here are some brief details of what’s going on this weekend. You can find out more in articles scattered throughout this week’s paper. And the best part? Many of these events require no admission fee. You will likely spend more time than money keeping these events and your community alive and well.

•Jasper ArtFest: Saturday, April 16 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday, April 17 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Main Street. Admission is free. This first annual event will feature dozens of fine artisans from around the region as well as demonstrations, food and kids activities.

•Dog Days in the Park: Saturday, April 16 from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Bring your favorite canine out to Lee Newton Park for a day of fun activities and prizes. Proceeds go to support substance abuse prevention programs in Pickens County.

•Sharptop Arts Feathered Event: Friday, April 15 from 5 to 9 p.m. at the Burnt Mountain Trading Company. Tickets are $10. Birdhouses will be auctioned to support the Sharptop Arts Association.

•Tate Depot Days: Saturday, April 16 and Sunday, April 17 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For the first time in over 60 years the historic Tate Depot will be opened to the public. Attendees will hear the history of the depot and learn what’s in store for the building in the near future. Admission is free.

•Optimist Club 5K Flap Jack Run: Saturday, April 16 at 9 a.m. Pancake breakfast to follow at 61 Main. Proceeds go to support the Optimist Club of Jasper. Registration is $25.

•Jasper Farmers Market: Every Saturday from 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Lee Newton Park. You can’t get more local than buying veggies, plants, crafts and other items from your neighbors.